Here is the number of jobs to be filled in the nuclear industry in France in 2022

A sector of excellence, nuclear power is also the third largest industrial sector in France. With 3,000 companies throughout the country, This industry offers many professional opportunities. By 2022, many projects should see the light of day, and this sector should very soon generate a new wave of jobs.

 

Where does the nuclear sector stand in 2022?

For the past ten years, the nuclear industry has been facing a certain lack of attractiveness, which has repeatedly generated a shortage of talent.

The sector is, in fact, in competition with other sectors, which seem to attract more young candidates (aeronautics, new technologies, renewable energies, automotive, etc.).

It is estimated that only 30% of the needs would be covered in certain professions in short supply in the nuclear industry (welders, pipefitters and boilermakers, etc.).

This lack of qualified professionals is not negligible. Indeed, nearly 8,000 jobs per year would be needed to cover all the needs in the nuclear sector, according to the SFEN (French Nuclear Energy Society).

 

How many jobs are to be filled in the nuclear industry in France in 2022?

In February 2022, Emmanuel Macron announced, as part of his plan to revive civil nuclear power, the creation of a new fleet of 6 EPR reactors, with construction starting in 2023.

This large-scale project would require the recruitment of no less than 30,000 people (10,000 in operation and maintenance and 20,000 on reactor construction sites), according to GIFEN (French nuclear energy industry group).

Following this announcement, EDF, in charge of the project, announced the recruitment of 3,300 technicians and engineers this year, to be filled in five regions of France: Île-de-France; Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes; Centre-Val de Loire; Normandy and Grand Est.

The electricity company, which currently employs 165,000 people, plans to recruit 15,500 new employees in France in 2022 nationwide, including 8,000 new employees (7,000 on permanent contracts and 1,000 on fixed-term contracts); 4,000 work-study students for 2022-2023 and 3,500 interns.

These new jobs should meet the need for industrial, technical and digital skills. They mainly concern young graduates and more experienced candidates (from the professional baccalaureate to the baccalaureate +5), in several areas of expertise: maintenance of electricity production sites and project management; rotating machine mechanics; boilermakers; automation engineers; planners; civil engineering; instrumentalists; pipefitters; industrial electricians; information systems (cybersecurity; IS architect; product owner; project manager)…

The French electricity supplier wants to develop gender diversity within the sector and encourage women to join this sector.

This large-scale recruitment approach aims to strengthen the development of the nuclear sector.

 

What are the jobs that are recruiting in the nuclear industry?

The nuclear sector includes a wide range of very diverse professions, such as:

• engineers,
• industrial electricians,
• boilermakers,
• welders,
• taps,
• technicians,
• automation engineers,
• instrumentalists,
• mechanics on rotating machines,
• civil engineering experts,
• researchers…

The sector also includes jobs in communication, management, engineering, HR, auditing, IT, driving agents, safety, security, maintenance agents, etc.

The opportunities are therefore wide and varied in the civil nuclear sector.

What is the average salary in the nuclear industry?

The median salary for nuclear jobs in France is €33,000 per year. For an entry-level position, it costs around €23,400 per year, and experienced workers can earn up to €50,489 annually. However, this can vary greatly depending on the profession.

What diplomas are required to work in the nuclear industry?

The nuclear sector brings together professionals from different levels of study: Bac pro, Bac +2, Bac +5, engineering schools and universities. To work on nuclear sites, it is necessary to follow, in addition to academic training, specific training relating to safety, nuclear safety, radiation protection, quality assurance, etc.